Restamped Data Plate

1941 - 1945, MB, GPW Technical questions and discussions, regarding anything related to the WWII jeep.
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Sdkfz250
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Restamped Data Plate

Post by Sdkfz250 » Tue Aug 16, 2016 6:20 am

Hi,

I have this data plate on my Willys MB with a restamped serial number and delivery date.

Image

My serial number on the frame is 348768. This number can also be found on the plate. Interesting for me is that whoever manipulated this plate used the exact same font.
Could it be that this manipulation for whatever reason took place during the war?

What do you think?

Greetings from Munich

Michael


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Chuck Lutz
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Re: Restamped Data Plate

Post by Chuck Lutz » Tue Aug 16, 2016 8:16 am

wow.....348768 is a June 1944 plate I think...which is an ORD contract, not a QMC.
It is stamped 12-?-42 and that's not OK for a June 1944 serial number.
In fact I don't have any early QMC plates that have "QMC" stamped on them anyway.
I think I can see "19x0x1" on there which would have been right I think for a 12/42 MB.

So it is a restamp.
There is no reason for the US Army or Willys to restamp an early plate that came off an existing jeep so it seems more likely that a PO just used and existing data plate and restamped it to match the frame tag.

That style of plate was used up to around 12/43.

Robert de Ruyter would be able to make you a perfect reproduction and even stamp it in the style Willys used at that time of production but if you are using #348068 then you would need to determine the DOD.
Chuck Lutz

GPW 17963 4/24/42 Chester, PA. USA 20113473 (USA est./Tom W.)
Bantam T3-C 1947

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JIMN
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Re: Restamped Data Plate

Post by JIMN » Tue Aug 16, 2016 8:52 am

Looks to me like something that would have happened in the military.
Anyone who has served time in the military could imagine a scenario where someone was trying to make sure their jeep inventory was matching their paperwork for an upcoming supply inspection.
Perhaps a glove box door was stolen or damaged, then they found another one, then they re-stamped it.....

I would keep it. It is part of the jeeps military history and a good conversation piece :D
1941 Ford GP, 1944 Willys MB, 1943 Bantam T3

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Chuck Lutz
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Re: Restamped Data Plate

Post by Chuck Lutz » Tue Aug 16, 2016 9:56 am

The US didn't keep track of their vehicles by the data plate/frame number/motor number...or serial number. The vehicle was kept track of by the USA number. No reason for anyone to restamp it in service and anyone who MIGHT happen to inspect it would immediately be suspicious of a restamp. Better to just mount it as-is since the inventory of the unit would only reference the USA number.

However a PO in civilian life WOULD be interested in somehow having some missing data plates "replaced" and restamping one from two years earlier would be an option.

In the case of the motor pool or rebuild facilities like Esslingen, the did have replacement data plates on hand so this would not be necessary.
Chuck Lutz

GPW 17963 4/24/42 Chester, PA. USA 20113473 (USA est./Tom W.)
Bantam T3-C 1947

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JIMN
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Re: Restamped Data Plate

Post by JIMN » Tue Aug 16, 2016 8:39 pm

I still put my money on a military mod.
A soldier is more likely to have the "I don't give a @@@@ " attitude and just stamp over old numbers. A civilian would be more careful trying not to get caught with such a change.
A soldier may also have been advised to make sure numbers matched before releasing a vehicle to a different command or to civilian possession.
Or a soldier might have done it just because he wanted to. :D
Last edited by JIMN on Tue Aug 16, 2016 8:44 pm, edited 1 time in total.
1941 Ford GP, 1944 Willys MB, 1943 Bantam T3

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Farrell Fox
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Re: Restamped Data Plate

Post by Farrell Fox » Tue Aug 16, 2016 8:40 pm

[Post Deleted By Author]
Last edited by Farrell Fox on Wed Oct 23, 2019 1:12 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Chuck Lutz
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Re: Restamped Data Plate

Post by Chuck Lutz » Wed Aug 17, 2016 9:29 am

Hmmm....I think Farrell's idea has 1000% more chance of being the correct one, rather than believing some GI was running around the motor pool restamping data plates because "he wanted to".

I haven't seen any MB plates in the 19xxxx range with "QMC" stamped on them since they already say "QUARTERMASTER CORPS" on them, so why would a GI bother to stamp "QMC" on a plate after the war when the ORD was in charge?

Looks like the screw in the photo is brand-new also which indicates to me, the plate was separated from the door much later than the end of WWII.

....but it's a good story!
Chuck Lutz

GPW 17963 4/24/42 Chester, PA. USA 20113473 (USA est./Tom W.)
Bantam T3-C 1947

Sdkfz250
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Re: Restamped Data Plate

Post by Sdkfz250 » Wed Aug 17, 2016 8:23 pm

Many thanks for your expertise. I will keep the plate on the Jeep anyway because it is part of it's history.


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